Meter apparatus and a character plate thereof

ABSTRACT

A meter apparatus and a character plate thereof is provided. A vehicle-use combination meter  1  as a meter apparatus has a casing  3 , a speedometer  4   a , an inside-cover plate  10 , and a bulb  15 . The speedometer  4   a  has a movement  7   a  accommodated in the casing  3 , a pointer  12   a  attached to an output shaft  8   a  of the movement  7   a, and a vehicle speed indication character plate    6   a . The vehicle speed indication character plate  6   a  as a character plate of the meter apparatus has a circular plate member  20  and a ring-like framing member  21 . A numerical scale  9   b  is formed on the surface  20   a  of the plate member  20 . A morning sun expression  26  is provided on the surface  20   a  of the plate member  20 . A peripheral scale  9   a  is formed on a second surface  21   a  of the framing member  21 . A metal layer  31  is overlaid on the second surface  21   a  of the framing member  21 . Grooves  32  are formed on the metal layer  31 . The inside-cover plate  10  is attached to the casing  3 . The bulb  15  is attached to the inside-cover plate  10 . The bulb  15  is arranged nearer a crew than the vehicle speed indication character plate  6   a . The bulb  15  illuminates the whole surface  20   a  of the plate member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a meter apparatus mounted on a movingbody such as a motor vehicle and to a character plate used in the meterapparatus for indicating a measuring quantity with a pointer.

2. Description of the Related Art

A meter apparatus to indicate information measured by various measuringmeans to a crew is mounted on a motor vehicle as a moving body. Acombination meter is used as such kind of meter apparatus, whichcombination meter has, for example, a speedometer to indicate the speedof a motor vehicle, a tachometer to indicate the rotation speed of anengine, a fuel gauge to indicate remaining quantity of the fuel, and atemperature gauge to indicate the temperature of the cooling water ofthe engine.

The above vehicle-use combination meter has a meter casing toaccommodate movements of the above meters, character plates arranged onthe front face of the above meter casing, pointers, and an inside-coverplates arranged in front of the character plates. Each movement has anoutput shaft to rotate according to the measuring quantity. The pointeris attached to the output shaft of the movement.

The above character plates are a speedometer character plate, atachometer character plate, a fuel gauge character plate, and atemperature gauge character plate. These character plates are made ofsynthetic resin. A vehicle speed indication scale, an engine rotationspeed indication scale, a fuel remaining quantity indication scale, anda cooling water temperature indication scale are provided on therespective character plates.

The output shafts of the movements turns according to correspondinginformation (measuring quantities) from the respective measuring means.And, the pointers turn on respective indicating portions. Like this, thevehicle-use combination meter indicates measuring quantities to thecrew.

With respect to the above prior art, however, the character plates aremade synthetic resin. Therefore, the high-grade feeling thereof isfairly low in comparison with other onboard devices when installed on ahigh-grade motor vehicle. Therefore, it is suggested the character plateis formed of metal. However, the measuring quantity of the meter unitshall be easily recognized by the crew for safety even in the night.When the character plate is made of metal, it is difficult to make thescale or the like shine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is toprovide a meter apparatus and a character plate thereof which can give acrew a high-grade feeling and make the crew easily recognize themeasuring quantity.

In order to achieve the above object, as a first aspect of the presentinvention, a meter apparatus comprises: a meter casing; a meter unitaccommodated in the meter casing and having an output shaft to rotateaccording to a measuring quantity showing a state of a moving body; apointer attached to the output shaft; and a character plate havingindicating portions to indicate a state of the moving body by indicatingthe measuring quantity by means of the pointer, wherein the characterplate has a plate member made of metal and provided with a firstindicating portion of the indicating portions on a first surface facinga crew of the moving body, and there is provided a lighting meansattached to the meter casing, arranged nearer the crew of the movingbody than the character plate, and illuminating the first surface of theplate member of the character plate.

As a second aspect of the present invention, based on the first aspect,a morning sun expression is formed on the first surface of the platemember.

As a third aspect of the present invention, based on the first aspect,one of the first indicating portion and the first surface of the platemember is painted with a dark color paint, and the other is painted witha light color paint.

As a fourth aspect of the present invention, based on the first aspect,the first surface of the plate member is frosted.

As a fifth aspect of the present invention, based on the first aspect,the character plate has a framing member attached to a periphery of theplate member and provided with a second indicating portion of theindicating portions on a second surface facing the crew of the movingbody, and the lighting means can illuminate the second surface of theframing member.

As a sixth aspect of the present invention, based on the fifth aspect,one of the second surface of the framing member and the secondindicating portion is a dark color, and the other is a light color.

As a seventh aspect of the present invention, a character plate of ameter apparatus comprises: indicating portions to indicate a measuringquantity by a pointer attached to an output shaft of a meter unit sothat a state of a moving body can be shown, the output shaft rotatingaccording to the measuring quantity; and a plate member having a firstindicating portion of the indicating portions on a first surface facinga crew of the moving body, wherein the plate member is made of metal anda morning sun expression is formed on the first surface.

As an eighth aspect of the present invention, a character plate of ameter apparatus comprises: indicating portions to indicate a measuringquantity by a pointer attached to an output shaft of a meter unit sothat a state of a moving body can be shown, the output shaft rotatingaccording to the measuring quantity; and a framing member made oflight-transmissible material, formed in a frame-like shape, and providedwith a second indicating portion of the indicating portions on a secondsurface facing the crew of the moving body, wherein a metal layer isoverlaid on the second surface and grooves extending in acircumferential direction of the framing member are formed on a surfaceof the metal layer.

As a ninth aspect of the present invention, a character plate of a meterapparatus comprises: indicating portions to indicate a measuringquantity by a pointer attached to an output shaft of a meter unit sothat a state of a moving body can be shown, the output shaft rotatingaccording to the measuring quantity; a plate member having a firstindicating portion of the indicating portions on a first surface facinga crew of the moving body; and a framing member made oflight-transmissible material, formed in a frame-like shape, providedwith a second indicating portion of the indicating portions on a secondsurface facing the crew of the moving body, and attached to a peripheryof the plate member, wherein the plate member is made of metal, amorning sun expression is formed on the first surface, and wherein ametal layer is overlaid on the second surface and grooves extending in acircumferential direction of the framing member are formed on a surfaceof the metal layer.

As a tenth aspect of the present invention, based on the seventh orninth aspect, one of the first indicating portion and the first surfaceof the plate member is painted with a dark color paint and the other ispainted with a light color paint.

As an eleventh aspect of the present invention, based on the seventh orninth aspect, the first surface of the plate member is frosted.

As a twelfth aspect of the present invention, based on the eighth orninth aspect, one of the surface of the metal layer and the secondindicating portion is a dark color and the other is a light color.

According to the above-described structures of the present invention,the following advantages are provided.

(1) According to the first aspect of the invention, the lighting meansis arranged nearer the crew than the character plate. Therefore, thelighting means can illuminate the whole surface of the plate memberincluding the indicating portion. Therefore, the crew can easilyrecognize the measuring quantity on the first indicating portionindicated by the pointer. And, the plate member of the character plateis made of metal. Therefore, a feeling of metal can be given to the crewwith the reflection of the light from the character plate. Therefore, ahigh-grade feeling can be given to the crew even in the night.

(2) According to the second aspect of the invention, because the morningsun expression is formed on the surface, facing the crew, of the platemember, the crew can easily recognize the measuring quantity and ahigh-grade feeling can be given to the crew even in the night with thereflection of the light.

(3) According to the third aspect of the invention, either the firstindicating portion or the surface of the plate member is painted with adark color paint, and the other is painted with a light color paint.Therefore, the contrast between the above first indicating portion andthe surface of the plate member is large. Therefore, a high-gradefeeling can be given to the crew, and the crew can easily recognize thefirst indicating portion. Therefore, the visibility of the crew isimproved.

(4) According to the forth aspect of the invention, the surface of theplate member is frosted. Therefore, the contrast between the above firstindicating portion and the surface of the plate member is large. And, itcan be prevented that the crew can not recognize the first indicatingportion due to the strong light reflected from the character plate.Therefore, beside the high-grade feeling, the crew can still easilyrecognize the measuring quantity. Therefore, the visibility of the crewis further improved.

(5) According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the lighting meansilluminates the surface of the framing member. Therefore, the crew cansecurely recognize the measuring quantity on the second indicatingportion.

(6) According to the sixth aspect of the invention, either the surfaceof the framing member or the second indicating portions is a dark color,and the other is a light color. Therefore, the surface of the aboveframing member and the second indicating portion is large. Therefore,the crew can securely recognize the measuring quantity on the secondindicating portion.

(7) According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, becausethe morning sun expression is provided on the surface, facing the crew,of the plate member, the feeling of metal can be given to the crew withthe reflection of the light. Therefore, a high-grade feeling can begiven to the crew.

(8) According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the metallayer is overlaid on the second surface of the framing member and thegrooves are formed on the metal layer. Therefore, the feeling of metalcan be given to the crew with the reflection of the light, and ahigh-grade feeling can be given to the crew. And, because the metallayer is not formed on the second indicating portion, the secondindicating portion can be brightened. Therefore, the second indicatingportion can be easily recognized. That is, the visibility with the crewcan be improved.

(9) According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the morningsun expression is provided on the surface, facing the crew, of the platemember; and the metal layer is formed on the second surface of theframing member. And, the grooves are formed on the metal layer.Therefore, the feeling of metal can be given to the crew with thereflection of the light, and a high-grade feeling can be given to thecrew. And, because the metal layer is not formed on the secondindicating portion, the second indicating portion can be brightened.Therefore, the second indicating portion can be easily recognized. Thatis, the visibility with the crew can be improved.

(10) According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, either thefirst indicating portion or the surface of the plate member is paintedwith a dark color paint, and the other is painted with a light colorpaint. Therefore, the contrast between the first indicating portion andthe surface of the plate member is large. Therefore, the crew can easilyrecognize the first indicating portion. Therefore, a high-grade feelingcan be given to the crew, and the visibility with the crew can beimproved.

(11) According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, thesurface of the plate member is frosted. Therefore, the contrast betweenthe first indicating portion and the surface of the plate member islarger. And, it can be prevented that the crew cannot recognize thefirst indicating portion caused by the strong reflected light from thecharacter plate. Therefore, the crew can more easily recognize the firstindicating portion. Therefore, a high-grade feeling can be given to thecrew, and the visibility with the crew can be further improved.

(12) According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, either ofthe surface of the metal layer and the second indicating portions is alight color, and the other is a dark color. Therefore, the contrastbetween the second indicating portion and the surface of the metal layeris large. Therefore, the crew can easily recognize the second indicatingportion. Therefore, a high-grade feeling can be given to the crew, andthe visibility with the crew can be further improved.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of an inventive vehicle-usecombination meter as a meter apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-use combinationmeter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of an inventive vehiclespeed indication character plate;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle speed indicationcharacter plate shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line V—V in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a framing member of the vehicle speedindication character plate shown in FIG. 3, which framing member ismolded from a light-transmissible material;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state that a metal layer isoverlaid on an outside surface of the framing member shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state that the metal layer has beenremoved from the surface of an indication projection of the framingmember shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state that grooves are formed onthe metal layer of the framing member shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a state that a plate member of thevehicle speed indication character plate shown in FIG. 3 has no numeral;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a state that numerals and groovesare formed on the plate member shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a state that a paint is put on thesurfaces of the numerals and the surface of the plate member shown inFIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Embodiment(s) of the present invention will now be described in furtherdetail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 12.

An inventive vehicle-use combination meter 1 as a meter apparatus shownin FIG. 1 is mounted on a moving body such as a motor vehicle toindicate a state of the moving body for a crew thereof. The vehicle-usecombination meter 1 has a casing 3 as a meter casing, an indicator 4, aninside-cover plate 10, and a transparent cover 11. And, an inventivecharacter plate of the meter apparatus is used for the vehicle-usecombination meter 1.

The casing 3 has a frame portion 3 a and a bottom plate portion 3 b. Theframe portion 3 a is formed in a frame-like shape. The bottom plateportion 3 b is tabularly formed. The frame portion 3 a is attached tothe periphery of the bottom plate portion 3 b thereby to assemble thecasing. The casing 3 is formed in a box-shape with an opening portion 3c facing the crew of the moving body.

In the casing 3, later-described movements 7 a,7 b,7 c,7 d, a bulb as alight source for the character plate, and another bulb as a light sourcefor the pointer are accommodated. Further, in the casing 3, a printedboard 36 electrically connected to the movements 7 a,7 b,7 c,7 d and thebulbs are accommodated. This printed board 36 is a hard substrate, onwhich electronic parts such as a microcomputer controlling the movements7 a,7 b,7 c,7 d and so no are implemented.

The indicator 4 consists of a speedometer 4 a to indicate the speed of avehicle, a tachometer 4 b to indicate the rotation speed of an engine, afuel gauge 4 c to indicate the remaining quantity of the fuel, and atemperature gauge 4 d to indicate the temperature of the cooling waterof the engine.

The speedometer 4 a consists of the movement 7 a as a meter unit, apointer 12 a, and a vehicle speed indication character plate 6 a as acharacter plate of the meter apparatus. The tachometer 4 b consists ofthe movement 7 b as a meter unit, a pointer 12 b, and an enginerotation-speed indication character plate 6 b as the character plate ofthe meter apparatus.

The fuel gauge 4 c consists of the movement 7 c as a meter unit, apointer 12 c, and a fuel remaining quantity indication character plate 6c as the character plate of the meter apparatus. The temperature gauge 4d consists of the movement 7 d as a meter unit, a pointer 12 d, and acooling water temperature indication character plate 6 d as thecharacter plate of the meter apparatus. These character plates 6 a,6 b,6c,6 d are arranged in the opening portion 3 c of the casing 3. Detailedstructures of these character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d are describedlater.

The movements 7 a,7 b,7 c,7 d are connected with a non-shown vehiclespeed detecting means, an engine rotation speed detecting means, a fuelremaining quantity detecting means, and a cooling water temperaturedetecting means, respectively. The movements 7 a,7 b,7 c,7 d haverespective output shafts 8 a,8 b,8 c,8 d to rotate according to themeasuring quantities detected by the above detecting means.

The pointers 12 a,12 b,12 c,12 d are formed of light-transmissiblematerial such as acrylic resin. Here, the pointers 12 a,12 b,12 c,12 dhave the same form and structure. Therefore, the pointer 12 a for thespeedometer 4 a is described representatively hereinafter.

The pointer 12 a, as shown in FIG. 3, has a proximal end portion 41 andan indicating portion 42 radially extending from the proximal endportion 41. The proximal end portion 41 is formed in a disc-shape. Theproximal end portion 41 has a non-shown light-receiving portion, wherethe light from the above bulb enters. The light-receiving portionreflects the above light toward the distal end of the indicating portion42. The indicating portion 42 is formed generally conically.

The proximal end portion 41 of the pointer 12 a is attached to theoutput shaft 8 a of the movement 7 a. The pointer 12 a is attached in astate that the proximal end portion 41 is positioned in the centralportion of the vehicle speed indication character plate 6 a as shown inFIG. 3.

The pointers 12 a,12 b,12 c,12 d joined with the respective outputshafts 8 a,8 b,8 c,8 d of the movements 7 a,7 b,7 c,7 d rotate or turn.The pointers 12 a,12 b,12 c,12 d are turned by the movements 7 a,7 b,7c,7 d according to the measuring quantities measured by the respectivemeasuring means and indicate the measuring quantities while coworkinglater-described scales 9 a,9 b of the character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d.The indicating portions 42 of the above pointers 12 a,12 b,12 c,12 d canshine by the light entering a light-receiving portion of the proximalend portion 41 from the bulb.

The pointers 12 a,12 b,12 c,12 d indicate values of the scales 9 a,9 b,namely the indicating portion, of the character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 dto show the crew a state of the motor vehicle.

The inside-cover plate 10 is attached to the frame portion 3 a formingthe opening portion 3 c of the casing 3. The inside-cover plate 10 has aspeedometer exposing window 10 a exposing the character plates 6 a,6 b,6c,6 d to the crew, a tachometer exposing window 10 b, a non-shown fuelgauge exposing window, and a temperature gauge exposing window 10 d. Thecasing 3 and the inside-cover plate 10 constitute the meter casing.

The transparent cover 11 is formed in a plate-like shape by moldingtransparent resin. The transparent cover 11 is attached to the casing 3while closing the opening portion 3 c of the above casing 3. Thetransparent cover 11 prevents the dust and the like from invading intothe vehicle-use combination meter 1.

Since the above character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d have generally the samestructure, the vehicle speed indication character plate 6 a isrepresentatively describe hereinafter. The vehicle speed indicationcharacter plate 6 a is formed in a disc-shape as shown in FIG. 3. Asshown in FIG. 3, the vehicle speed indication character plate 6 a has acircular-tabular plate member 20, a ring-like (i.e. frame-like) framingmember 21, and a second framing member 22 being ring-like.

The plate member 20 is made of metal. The plate member 20 is providedwith a hole 23 centrally, as shown in FIG. 4, and bullet scaleputting-through holes 24 at the peripheral portion. The hole 23 puts theoutput shaft 8 a of the movement 7 a and the light emitted from the bulbtherethrough. The bullet scale putting-through hole 24 corresponds to anexternal shape of a later-described bullet scale 35. The bullet scaleputting-through holes 24 are circumferentially arranged on the platemember 20 at uniform intervals.

On the surface 20 a, facing the crew, of the plate member 20, anumerical scale 9 b as a first indicating portion is provided. Thenumerical scale 9 b has numerals 25 circumferentially provided on theplate member 20 at uniform intervals. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12,each numeral 25 projects from the surface 20 a toward the crew.

Here, the numerals 25 of the numerical scale 9 b of the vehicle speedindication character plate 6 a show the speed of a motor vehicle. Thenumerical scale 9 b of the engine rotation-speed indication characterplate 6 b shows the rotation speed of an engine. The numerical scale 9 bof the fuel remaining quantity indication character plate 6 c shows theremaining quantity of the fuel. The numerical scale 9 b of the coolingwater temperature indication character plate 6 d shows the temperatureof the cooling water.

On the surface 20 a except for the numerals 25 of the above numericalscale 9 b, a morning sun expression 26 is formed. This morning sunexpression 26 is made up of a plurality of grooves 27. The cross-sectionof the grooves 27 is shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 4,the grooves 27 are arranged radially from the hole 23 toward theperiphery of the plate member 20 at uniform intervals.

Here, the above grooves 27 are shown in FIGS. 3,4 larger than desirableones. The desirable or actual grooves have smaller width, smaller depth,and smaller intervals in such a manner that the grooves is notrecognized.

Further, either the surfaces 25 a (shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 11) of thenumerals 25 of the numerical scale 9 b or the surface 20 a except thesurfaces 25 a is painted with a dark color paint 28 (shown in FIG. 5 andFIG. 12), and the rest is painted with a light color paint 29.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dark color paint 28 such as black,blue, or green is painted on the surface 20 a except the surfaces 25 aof the numerals 25. The light color paint 29 such as white, yellow, orsilver is painted on the surfaces 25 a of the numerals 25. And, flattingagents checking the glossiness is put in the dark color paint 28.Otherwise, flatting agents is painted on the surface of the dark colorpaint 28.

Here, the light color paint 29 such as white or yellow may be painted onthe surface 20 a except the surfaces 25 a of the numerals 25. On thesurfaces 25 a of the numerals 25, the dark color paint 28 such as black,blue, or green may be painted. In this case, it is desirable to put theflatting agent in the light color paint 29. Otherwise, it is desirableto paint the flatting agents on the surface of the light color paint 29.

The plate member 20 with the above-described structure is obtainedthrough a process shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12. First, the stamping ismade to a flat metal plate to form the plate member 20 as shown in FIG.10. Subsequently, the press working is carried out in order to make thenumerals 25 of the numerical scale 9 b project from the surface 20 a asshown in FIG. 11. And, the machining is carried out to form the grooves27 of the morning sun expression 26 shown in FIG. 11. And, as shown inFIG. 12, the light color paint 29 is put on the surfaces 25 a of thenumerals 25 of the above numerical scale 9 b, and the dark color paint28 is put on the surface 20 a except the numerals 25 of the numericalscale 9 b. Like this, the plate member 20 with the above-describedstructure is obtained.

The framing member 21 is made of light-transmissible material such aslight-transmissible synthetic resin. The framing member 21 is attachedto the periphery of the plate member 20 around the portion with theabove morning sun expression

The framing member 21 is put on the surface 20 a of the plate member 20.

The second surface 21 a, facing the crew, of the framing member 21slants as shown in FIG. 5. On the peripheral portion of the secondsurface 21 a, the peripheral scale 9 a as a second indicating portionshowing a state of a motor vehicle is provided. The peripheral scale 9a, as shown in FIG. 3, has indication projections 30 each having arectangular plan view and radially arranged.

Here, the peripheral scale 9 a is omitted from FIG. 4. The indicationprojections 30 of the peripheral scale 9 a project from the secondsurface 21 a toward the crew as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The surface30 a of the indication projection 30 is parallel to the second surface21 a as shown in FIG. 6. The indication projections 30 iscircumferentially arranged at uniform intervals.

Here, the peripheral scale 9 a and the numerical scale 9 b constitutethe vehicle speed indication scale 9.

The metal layer 31 (FIG. 5 and FIG. 9) is overlaid on the whole outsidesurface, except the surfaces 30 a of the above indication projections30, of the framing member 21. That is, the metal layer 31 is overlaid onthe second surface 21 a except the surfaces 30 a of the indicationprojections 30. The ring grooves 32 are coaxially formed on the metallayer 31 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9.

Here, in the figures the grooves 32 are enlarged larger than thedesirable or actual ones. The width, depth and an interval of thedesirable or actual grooves 32 are very small in such a way that thegrooves 32 are difficult to be recognized. Therefore, the grooves 32 areformed more than shown in FIG. 3.

And, bullet scale putting-through holes 33 are provided on the insideedge portion of the framing member 21 as shown in FIG. 4. The form ofthe bullet scale putting-through hole 33 corresponds to that of thebullet scale 35. The bullet scale putting-through holes 33 arecircumferentially arranged on the framing member 21 at uniformintervals. When the framing member 21 are attached to the plate member20, the bullet scale putting-through holes 24,33 agree.

The framing member 21 of the above structure is obtained throughprocesses shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9. First, as shown in FIG. 6, thelight-transmissible synthetic resin is molded in a desirable shape.Successively, as shown in FIG. 7, the above metal layer 31 is overlaidon the whole outside surface of the framing member 21 by means of thevapor coating or the plating. As shown in FIG. 8, the metal layer 31 onthe surfaces 30 a of the above indication projections 30 are removed bythe machining. Successively, as shown in FIG. 9, the above grooves 32are formed with the machining on the surface 31 a of the metal layer 31of the second surface 21 a. Like this, the above framing member 21 isobtained. Here, FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 show radial section of the framingmember 21.

The second framing member 22 has a circular ring portion 34 and thebullet scales 35 as shown in FIG. 4. The bullet scales 35 project fromthe circular ring portion 34 toward the crew. At least the bullet scale35 s of the second framing member 22 are formed by the electroformingmanufacturing. Otherwise, the base material of the second framing member22 may be molded from synthetic resin, and the metal layer may be formedon the surface of the bullet scales 35 by the plating or the vaporcoating.

The above speed indication character plate 6 a is obtained by puttingthe plate member 20 on the circular ring portion 34 of the secondframing member 22 and putting the framing member 21 on the peripheralportion of the plate member 20. At this time, the bullet scales 35 gothrough the bullet scale putting-through holes 24,33 and are exposed onthe surface 20 a side. That is, the bullet scales 35 are exposed to thecrew.

When the vehicle speed indication character plate 6 a is assembled,either the light-transmissible synthetic resin forming the framingmember 21 or the surface 31 a of the above metal layer 31 is a darkcolor such as black, blue, or green, and the other is a light color suchas white, yellow, or silver. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface31 a of the metal layer 31 is a light color, and the synthetic resinforming the framing member 21 is a dark color. Specifically, the surface31 a of the metal layer 31 is silver, and the synthetic resin formingthe framing member 21 is thin black. Otherwise, the surface 31 a of themetal layer 31 may be a dark color, and the synthetic resin forming theframing member 21 may be a light color.

Since the above framing member 21 is made of light-transmissiblesynthetic resin and the surfaces 30 a of the indication projections 30of the peripheral scale 9 a are exposed, the indication projections 30of the peripheral scale 9 a shine due to the light from the bulbtransmitted by the dial-use light-transmissible plate 5. The characterplates 6 b,6 c,6 d are provided with respective scales, which correspondto the above vehicle speed indication scale 9, on the surfaces. That is,the engine rotation speed, the remaining quantity of the fuel, and thetemperature of the cooling water are indicated. Here, these scales eachalso have the peripheral scale 9 a and the numerical scale 9 b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dial-use light-transmissible plate 5 includes aspeed-use light-transmissible plate 5 a, an engine speed-uselight-transmissible plate 5 b, a fuel remaining quantity-uselight-transmissible plate 5 c, and a cooling water temperature-uselight-transmissible plate 5 d. These light-transmissible plates 5 a,5b,5 c,5 d are provided correspondingly to the respective characterplates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d. The light-transmissible plates 5 a,5 b,5 c,5 dare arranged between the respective character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d andthe bulb for the character plate. The light-transmissible plates 5 a,5b,5 c,5 d lead the light from the bulb to the peripheral scales 9 a ofthe character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d in order to brighten the indicationprojections 30 of the peripheral scales 9 a.

With the character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d, the scales 9 a,9 b arepointed by the respective indicating portions 42 of the pointers 12 a,12b,12 c,12 d joined to the output shafts 8 a,8 b,8 c,8 d of the movements7 a,7 b,7 c,7 d thereby to indicate the above measuring quantities. Thecharacter plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d cowork with the pointers 12 a,12 b,12c,12 d so as to indicate a state of a motor vehicle.

And, a vehicle-use combination meter 1 has a bulb 15 as a lighting meansas shown in FIG. 1. The meters 4 a,4 b and the gauges 4 c,4 d each areprovided with at least one bulb 15. The bulb 15 is attached to theceiling wall 43 of the inside-cover plate 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Theceiling wall 43 is arranged generally horizontally. The bulb 15 isattached to the above ceiling wall 43 in a state that the bulb 15 canilluminate the inside of the vehicle-use combination meter 1. Therefore,the bulb 15 is arranged nearer the crew than the character plates 6 a, 6b,6 c,6 d.

And, the bulb 15 emits the light between the two-dot chain lines P1 andP2 in FIG. 1. The bulb 15 can illuminate the whole surface 20 a of theplate member 20 of the character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d and the wholesurface 31 a of the metal layer 31 of the framing member 21. The bulb 15is controlled by a microcomputer or the like attached to theabove-described printed board 36.

According to the present embodiment, the bulbs 15 are arranged nearerthe crew than the character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d. The plate member 20is made of metal, and the metal layer 31 is overlaid on the secondsurface 21 a of the framing member 21. Therefore, the emitted light fromthe above bulbs 15 is reflected at the above surfaces 20 a,31 a towardthe crew.

Therefore, when the bulb 15 turns on, the crew can recognize the wholesurfaces 20 a,31 a. Therefore, the crew can easily recognize themeasuring quantities on the scales 9 a,9 b indicated by the respectivepointers 12 a,12 b,12 c,12 d.

In the present embodiment, the plate member 20 is made of metal. And,the morning sun expression 26 is provided on the surface 20 a, of theplate member 20, except for the numerals 25 of the numerical scale 9 b.Therefore, the feeling of metal can be given to the crew of a motorvehicle with the reflection from the surface 20 a of the plate member20. Accordingly, the character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d can give ahigh-grade feeling to the crew.

The metal layer 31 is overlaid on the second surface 21 a except for theindication projections 30 of the peripheral scale 9 a of the framingmember 21. The coaxial ring grooves 32 are formed on the surface 31 a ofthe above metal layer 31. Therefore, the feeling of metal can be givento the crew of a motor vehicle with the reflection from the secondsurface 21 a of the framing member 21. Accordingly, the character plates6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d can give a high-grade feeling to the crew. Further, inthe present invention, the surfaces 25 a of the numerals 25 of thenumerical scale 9 b is plated with rhodium or the like and the lightcolor paint 29 may be painted. In this case, a feeling of metal andtherefore a high-grade feeling can be given to the crew.

Further, the surfaces 25 a of the numerals 25 of the numerical scale 9 bare painted with the light color paint 29, and the surface 20 a exceptfor the numerals 25 of the numerical scale 9 b is painted with the darkcolor paint 28. Therefore, the contrast between the numerical scale 9 band the surface 20 a is large. And, the crew of a motor vehicle caneasily recognize the numerals 25 of the above numerical scale 9 b at aglance.

And, the surface 20 a except for the numerals 25 of the numerical scale9 b is frosted. Therefore, the contrast between the numerical scale 9 band the surface 20 a is larger. Then, even if the relatively stronglight of evening sun directly shines on the surface 20 a of the platemember 20 for example, the intensity of the light reflected from thesurface 20 a can be reduced.

Further, the surface 31 a of the metal layer 31 overlaid on the secondsurface 21 a of the framing member 21 is a light color, and theindication projections 30 of the peripheral scale 9 a is a dark color.Therefore, the contrast between the indication projections 30 of thesurface 31 a and the peripheral scale 9 a of the metal layer 31 islarge. Therefore, the crew of a motor vehicle can easily recognize theindication projections 30 of the above peripheral scale 9 a.

In the above-described embodiment, the indication projections 30 shineby removing the metal layer 31 from the surfaces 30 a of the indicationprojections 30 after overlaying the metal layer 31 on the framing member21. However, the metal layer 31 may be removed from the surfaces 30 a ofthe indication projections 30 by the laser after overlaying the metallayer 31 on the framing member 21.

And, the half coating may be applied on the surfaces 30 a of the aboveindication projections 30. Here, with this half coating the light onlygoes from the indication projections 30 toward the crew. Further, theholes to put the above indication projections 30 through may be formedon a metal plate corresponding to the above metal layer 31, and themetal plate is put on the framing member 21 while exposing theindication projections 30 from the above holes so that the indicationprojections 30 can shine.

In above-described embodiment, the numerals 25 of the numerical scale 9b of the plate member 20 project from the surface 20 a of the platemember 20, and the numerals 25 is not brightened. However, in thepresent invention, the numerals 25 of the above numerical scale 9 b maybe brightened by using the means shown below.

The numerals 25 of the numerical scale 9 b of the plate member 20 areformed with holes by the stamping or etching. And, the numerals 25 arebrightened by making the light from the above dial-uselight-transmissible plate 5 go through the above hole. And, thecharacter plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d are formed by the evaporation, plating,or painting the above dial-use light-transmissible plate 5.Subsequently, holes along the numerals 25 of the numerical scale 9 b areformed on the above character plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d by means of thelaser. Like this, the numerals 25 are brightened by the light from theabove dial-use light-transmissible plate 5.

In the present invention, the LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be used asthe lighting means. In the present embodiment, the character plates 6a,6 b,6 c,6 d are lighted up by using the bulb 15, and the indicationprojections 30 of the peripheral scale 9 a are brightened by using thebulb for the character plate. However, in the present invention, thecharacter plates 6 a,6 b,6 c,6 d may be lighted up by using the bulb 15only.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofexamples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be notedthat various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modificationsdepart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construedas being included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A meter apparatus, for viewing by a crew of amoving body; the meter apparatus comprising: a pointer attached to anoutput shaft of a meter unit to show a state of the moving body, theoutput shaft rotating according to the measuring quantity; and acharacter plate further comprising: a plate member including firstindicating marks, on a first surface of the plate member facing the crewof the moving body, to be indicated by the pointer; and a framing membercomprising light-transmitting material, the framing member includingsecond indicating marks on a second surface surrounding the plate memberand facing the crew of the moving body, wherein a metal layer is coatedon portions of the second surface and the second indicating markscomprise areas of the light transmitting material surrounded by areas ofthe metal layer, whereby light inside the framing member is reflected bythe metal layer and the light escapes from the framing member throughthe second indicating marks; and lighting means for illuminating theareas of the light transmitting material comprised in the secondindicating marks.
 2. The meter apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein the plate member comprises metal, radial grooves are formed onthe first surface, and the second surface comprises circumferentialgrooves extending in a circumferential direction of the framing memberformed on a surface of the metal layer.
 3. The meter apparatus as setforth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of the first indicating marksand the first surface of the plate member is painted with a dark colorpaint and the other is painted with a light color paint.
 4. The meterapparatus as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first surfaceof the plate member is frosted.
 5. The meter apparatus as set forth inclaim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of the surface of the metal layer andthe second indicating marks is a dark color and the other is a lightcolor.
 6. The meter apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the radialgrooves have a small width, depth, and/or interval such that the groovesare not recognizable as such.
 7. The meter apparatus according to claim1, wherein the metal layer comprises circumferential grooves extendingin a circumferential direction of the framing member formed on a surfaceof the metal layer.
 8. The meter apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe lighting means comprises a lamp attached to a meter casing of themeter apparatus, the lamp being situated nearer the crew of the movingbody than the character plate, and illuminating the first indicatingmarks of the plate member of the character plate.
 9. The meter apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the lighting means illuminates the secondsurface of the framing member.
 10. The meter apparatus according toclaim 1, comprising a meter casing, and a lamp attached to the metercasing nearer the crew of the moving body than the character plate, andilluminating the first surface of the plate member of the characterplate.
 11. The meter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstsurface of the plate member is frosted.
 12. The meter apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein one of the second surface of the framingmember and the second indicating portion is a dark color, and the otheris a light color.
 13. The meter apparatus according to claim 8, whereinthe portions of the second surface where the metal layer is coatedcomprise substantially the whole outside surface of the framing memberwhich is outside of the second indicating marks.